By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Oct. 12. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD), or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:31 p.m.
The workshop has started. Council took no action on items discussed in executive session.
6:38 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled these consent items for workshop discussion:
- Investment Policy: The Public Funds Investment Act requires an annual review and approval of the city’s investment policy and investment strategies. The act further requires that the governing body adopt a written instrument by rule, order, ordinance, or resolution stating that it has reviewed the investment policy and investment strategies and that the written instrument so adopted records any changes to either the investment policy or investment strategies. The City of College Station adopted an irrevocable OPEB trust on Sept. 11 and added to the investment strategy is the investment guideline for this trust.
- Rio Grande Subdivision Parking Removal: This ordinance removes on-street parking on the northeast side of Little River Street beginning at the intersection of Harvey Mitchell Parkway South and extending 175 feet northwest to the intersection with a private alley.
- Cordova Ridge Subdivision Parking Removal: This ordinance removes on-street parking on the northwest side of Cordova Ridge Court beginning at the intersection of Renee Lane and extending 640 feet southwest into its cul-de-sac.
7:05 p.m.
Water Conservation Update
The council heard a presentation by Texas A&M Professor Ron Kaiser, who has developed diagnostics to estimate how much water has been saved by local water conservation efforts. Kaiser provided a summary of significant achievements and ongoing programs.
He said the BVWaterSmart website and weekly notifications have played a significant role in reducing the amount of water wasted by overwatering landscapes.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:08 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:18 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:24 p.m.
Municipal Courts Week
Mayor Mooney proclaimed Nov. 6-10 as Municipal Courts Week to recognize the importance of municipal courts, the rule of law, and the fair and impartial administration of justice. Pictured below with Mayor Mooney are Municipal Court Judge Ed Spillane and the municipal court staff.
7:28 p.m.
Fill the Boot for MDS
Mayor Mooney recognized the College Station Fire Department for its participation in the recent Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy event. Mooney proclaimed Oct. 26-28 as Fill The Boot Days in College Station. For more than 60 years, Fill the Boot has been a national firefighter tradition that gives hope and support to families affected by muscular dystrophy. Pictured below with Mayor Mooney are representatives of the College Station Fire Department.
7:37 p.m.
Hear Visitors
One person spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. John Ellison spoke about the poor behavior he frequently witnesses on weekends in Northgate.
7:38 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Renewal of a not-to-exceed $150,000 contract with Hilltop Securities for financial advisory services.
- A $25,000 funding agreement with the Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley and its annual budget.
- A $350,000 funding agreement with the Research Valley Partnership.
- A $15,000 funding agreement with the College Station Noon Lions Club.
- A $390,868 funding agreement with the Arts Council of Brazos Valley for art and tourism marketing.
- A $25,000 funding agreement with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and its annual budget.
- A $114,376 funding agreement with Easterwood Airport and its annual budget.
- A $325,000 funding agreement with the Arts Council of Brazos Valley and its annual budget.
- A $2,280,236 tri-party funding agreement with the Brazos Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and its annual budget. College Station’s share is $1,846,991 and Bryan’s is $433,245.
- A $49,190 funding agreement with Keep Brazos Beautiful.
- Estimated awards totaling $130,000 to CC Creations ($65,000) and M&M Apparel ($65,000) for city-branded uniforms.
- A $400,000 funding agreement with the Brazos Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau to administer its grant program.
- A $3.29 million contract with Elliott Construction for the Eastgate Rehab PH IV
- Project.
- A $301,495 contract with Binkley & Barfield for engineering services related to the preliminary design of the Greens Prairie Road and Greens Prairie Trail projects.
- A $258,200 contract with Freese and Nichols for the Drainage Capital Plan.
- A resolution stating that the city council has reviewed and approved the city’s investment policy, broker-dealer list, and investment strategy.
- Annual water meter purchases estimated to be $166,078.27 from Aqua Metric Sales Company through the Houston-Galveston Area Council contract.
- Removed parking on the northeast side of Little River Street beginning at the intersection with Harvey Mitchell Parkway South and extending 175 feet northwest to the intersection with a private alley.
- Removed parking on the northwest side of Cordova Ridge Court beginning at the intersection with Renee Lane and extending 640 feet southwest into its cul-de-sac.
- An amendment removing contradictory language from a Community Development Block Grant funding contract with Brazos Valley Community Action Programs for affordable rental activity at 1112 Waynesboro Ct.
- An amendment removing contradictory language from a Community Development Block Grant funding contract with Twin City Mission for affordable rental activity at 2404 Blanco Dr.
- An ordinance amendment to allow the CSPD SWAT team to have key box access.
7:58 p.m.
Northpoint Crossing Modification
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to modify the concept plan of the existing Planned Development District at Northpoint Crossing. The change will reduce the width of sidewalks along Northpoint Crossing Drive to allow for the redesign of head-in parking and improve site identification and wayfinding.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
9:22 p.m.
Arrington Road Thoroughfare Alignment
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to realign a future minor collector with Harpers Ferry Road at the intersection with Arrington Road. Councilwomen Blanche Brick and Linda Harvell voted against the motion. Brazos County is reconstructing a portion of Arrington and requested the Thoroughfare Plan amendment to improve safety and efficiency in the corridor.
An earlier motion to delay the vote until additional information could be obtained failed by a 5-2 vote. Brick and Harvell supported that motion.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
9:22 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
9:32 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
10:38 p.m.
Roadway Impact Fee Collection Rate
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 against reducing the roadway impact fee collection rate to zero. Councilwoman Julie Schultz and Councilman James Benham voted for the motion. The action would have reduced anticipated revenue for roadway capital improvement projects by about $12 million over the next decade.
The council adopted the one-time fees last year on new development to help mitigate the estimated $134 million in capital improvements needed in the next 10 years. Maximum fees were adopted with a lower collection rate phased in over a three-year period, with the initial fees scheduled to start Dec. 1. The adopted collection rate is about 9 percent of the maximum identified by state law.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
11:00 p.m.
Parkland Dedication Comp Plan Amendments
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan to revise neighborhood and community park zones.
The amendments change neighborhood park zones to no longer include College Station’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and to combine some of the zones. The changes also reduce community park zones from four areas to two by combining Zones A & B into one zone west of Highway 6 and combining Zones C & D into another zone east of Highway 6.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
11:30 p.m.
Parkland Dedication UDO Revisions
After a public hearing, the council voted for staff to bring back reworded revisions to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding the broader use of Parkland Dedication Fees.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
11:39 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
11:39 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Oct. 26.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also done extensive volunteer work for the U.S. Olympic Committee and worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
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What was the name of the engineer who spoke about the Northpoint Crossing modifications?
The city staff planner who spoke is Jenifer Paz. The staff planner who spoke on behalf of the engineering firm is Crissy Hartl.